Legislation to regulate drones over Oregon airspace received a hearing yesterday. Republican state Representatives John Huffman and Gene Whismant are sponsors of HB 2710, which requires public bodies that use drones, to adopt policies on their use, and requires a procedure for notifying the public on those policies.

Under the bill, law enforcement agencies may use a drone for surveillance only if a warrant is issued authorizing its use, and the time and place of the use is limited. Additionaly, there must be a risk of serious physical harm to an individual, and the use is thoroughly documented by the requesting agency.

The bill would also limit law enforcement's collection and storage of surveillance information to 30 days, unless the information is needed as evidence in a criminal case.